Mark Thompson (BBC)

Mark Thompson "is Director General of the BBC, and as such is Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief of the BBC and chair of its Executive Board. Mark became Director General in June 2004, and has successfully steered the BBC through its ten-yearly Charter Review process, securing Licence Fee funding for the BBC for the next six years.

"Mark was a major author behind ‘Building Public Value’, the BBC’s strategy manifesto for the digital age, and the Creative Futures project, a far-reaching editorial blueprint for BBC programming and services to meet changing audience expectations. During Mark’s time as Director General the BBC has launched new platform trials in on-demand programming including the on-line iPlayer and podcasting, as well as mobile and high definition television.

"Before re-joining the BBC, Mark was Chief Executive of UK broadcaster Channel 4, a post he had held since December 2001. His earlier BBC career had spanned 20 years including the significant roles, in chronological order, of Editor of BBC-1’s ‘Nine O’Clock News’, Editor of BBC-1’s current affairs flagship ‘Panorama’, Head of Features, Head of Factual Programmes, Controller of BBC-2, Director of National and Regional Broadcasting and finally Director of Television.

"Mark was born in London on 31 July 1957 and was educated at Stonyhurst College, Lancashire, England and Merton College, Oxford University."


 * Trustee, Media Trust